This rack looks almost exactly what I've been holding out for. Would anyone happen to have a close-up picture of the final production mounting brackets? Also, what does the Torx bolt in the recessed area above the vehicle bolts do?
Hi MarkIGTM, I drove to Corona last week to Leitner designs and met with Bernard to view the brackets in person.
Although I saw the extra screw, I forgot to ask Bernard what function it provides. Knowing Bernard, I cannot imagine it is just for cosmetic purposes. I will ponder that is has something to do with tightening or holding the bracket in place in addition to the other two screws that attach to the Ineos brackets holding the aluminum roof tubes or perhaps is there to allow the attachment of other accessories like a light. When anyone finds out, please post.
The brackets are made out of solid billet aluminum and each is CNC machined and then power coated black. In my opinion, incredibly over engineered and I mean that in a great way.
Per Bernard, the top of the brackets set level with or are not more than 1/4" above the 4 plastic roof strips on the Grenadier roof depending where you measure them along the roof line. This provides the basis of the overall low profile design of his rack. His rack per his website diagram, is 2" tall, thereby giving a total height with brackets of not more than 2 1/4" over and above the 4 roof strips.
The perimeter frame fo the rack is designed with a wiring chase that runs along and inside the perimeter frame to help keep wiring and even connectors tidy and out of the elements. The aluminum cross bars are stout with T-Slots and have a profile of 1 1/8" thick by 4" wide. I like that you can easily remove, add or adjust any of the cross load bars without taking the rack apart.
I could not be more impressed with the overall design and the incredible build quality.
It's got DaBull's stamp of approval and I am ordering one.
I also saw his prototype lighting for the front of the Grenadier, which is something I will be ordering too.
His storage boxes are a very innovative design that provides easy side access with a spring flip up door and has keyed locks. The storage box locks onto the rack from the inside to help prevent theft. You can stack 100 pounds of extra gear on top of each storage box.
DaBull